4

First things first, thank you for being here. The fact you're even looking at our Patreon at all – never mind actually funding us – is amazing and we're very pleased to see you.

So, what's this all about?

Thumbsticks is an independent UK website, with the goal of creating interesting articles about video games. Whether we're working hard to bring you the latest news or reviews, or putting together in-depth features or sizzling opinion, we try to keep it interesting and work tirelessly on quality control. In the age of disposable blogging and angry people shouting on YouTube, there isn't a great deal of top-notch, magazine-style coverage of video games to go around.

And that's where Thumbsticks comes in. Here are just a few of our favourite pieces:

What
really makes Thumbsticks work is the team behind it, though. Our notional goal is interesting articles about video games, but the focus is on nurturing new talent and offering opportunities to aspiring writers.

We like to think we do a good job of it, too. A number of our alum have gone on to do amazing things, including the editor of a well-known games magazine, an associate Editor of a global tech site, and a features writer with another big games site, with others embarking on exciting and varied freelance writing careers.

So why Patreon, then, if it's all going so well?

Global ad revenues are dropping and Thumbsticks is no exception. With the prevalence of ad-blocking technology – particularly in a tech-savvy market segment like video games – and the overall downward trend in online advertising, it's really starting to bite. Ad revenue
just about covers hosting the site and other ancillary costs, but we no longer earn enough to operate a proper freelance budget.

And that's not just hurting Thumbsticks. More important than that, it's hurting aspiring freelance writers, and that's what we
really care about.

And what's in it for supporters?

If you pledge a little (or a lot) we'll obviously be eternally grateful, but crucially, you'll be investing in the future of quality games journalism and of freelance writers. All of the money we make from Patreon – every single penny – will be poured straight back into the site and that all-important freelance budget. Ultimately that will increase the output of Thumbsticks which is great for you guys, the readers, but it will help give new and aspiring freelance writers a start, which is the essential thing.

Oh, and you'll get exclusive access to our Discord, and to behind-the-scenes, patron-only content here on Patreon. You'll also have our blessing for using an ad blocker, of course, if that's how you roll.

If the site earns enough we'd love to start hiring some full-time staff, and producing books and magazines (which backers would receive), but let's take things one step at a time. Thanks again for reading, both the site and our Patreon, and thank you for your support.

Tiers

Tip jar

$1 or more per month

All patrons get access to our Discord, and access to the behind the scenes, patron-only stuff within Patreon. It also grants you access to a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and the eternal gratitude of the team and all our freelancers.

Benefactor

Sponsor

$500 or more per month

Everything in the previous levels, but your shout-out will be upgraded to list you as a sponsor of the site. Being a sponsor means we'll include a (follow) link to whatever you like – your blog, your business, your social media profile – so long as it's not offensive or gross.

Publisher

$1,000 or more per month

Everything in the previous levels, but we'll also upgrade your shout-out to include a nice little profile about you, and we'll list you as one of the team on the site. Because if you're backing us at this level, you really are one of the team!

Goals

5% complete

This will go some way towards replenishing our freelance budget, meaning we can commission more fantastic work from more great writers. Ultimately, this means more high quality articles for you to read every month!

1 of 4

First things first, thank you for being here. The fact you're even looking at our Patreon at all – never mind actually funding us – is amazing and we're very pleased to see you.

So, what's this all about?

Thumbsticks is an independent UK website, with the goal of creating interesting articles about video games. Whether we're working hard to bring you the latest news or reviews, or putting together in-depth features or sizzling opinion, we try to keep it interesting and work tirelessly on quality control. In the age of disposable blogging and angry people shouting on YouTube, there isn't a great deal of top-notch, magazine-style coverage of video games to go around.

And that's where Thumbsticks comes in. Here are just a few of our favourite pieces:

What
really makes Thumbsticks work is the team behind it, though. Our notional goal is interesting articles about video games, but the focus is on nurturing new talent and offering opportunities to aspiring writers.

We like to think we do a good job of it, too. A number of our alum have gone on to do amazing things, including the editor of a well-known games magazine, an associate Editor of a global tech site, and a features writer with another big games site, with others embarking on exciting and varied freelance writing careers.

So why Patreon, then, if it's all going so well?

Global ad revenues are dropping and Thumbsticks is no exception. With the prevalence of ad-blocking technology – particularly in a tech-savvy market segment like video games – and the overall downward trend in online advertising, it's really starting to bite. Ad revenue
just about covers hosting the site and other ancillary costs, but we no longer earn enough to operate a proper freelance budget.

And that's not just hurting Thumbsticks. More important than that, it's hurting aspiring freelance writers, and that's what we
really care about.

And what's in it for supporters?

If you pledge a little (or a lot) we'll obviously be eternally grateful, but crucially, you'll be investing in the future of quality games journalism and of freelance writers. All of the money we make from Patreon – every single penny – will be poured straight back into the site and that all-important freelance budget. Ultimately that will increase the output of Thumbsticks which is great for you guys, the readers, but it will help give new and aspiring freelance writers a start, which is the essential thing.

Oh, and you'll get exclusive access to our Discord, and to behind-the-scenes, patron-only content here on Patreon. You'll also have our blessing for using an ad blocker, of course, if that's how you roll.

If the site earns enough we'd love to start hiring some full-time staff, and producing books and magazines (which backers would receive), but let's take things one step at a time. Thanks again for reading, both the site and our Patreon, and thank you for your support.

Recent posts by Thumbsticks

Tiers

Tip jar

$1 or more per month

All patrons get access to our Discord, and access to the behind the scenes, patron-only stuff within Patreon. It also grants you access to a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and the eternal gratitude of the team and all our freelancers.

Benefactor

Sponsor

$500 or more per month

Everything in the previous levels, but your shout-out will be upgraded to list you as a sponsor of the site. Being a sponsor means we'll include a (follow) link to whatever you like – your blog, your business, your social media profile – so long as it's not offensive or gross.

Publisher

$1,000 or more per month

Everything in the previous levels, but we'll also upgrade your shout-out to include a nice little profile about you, and we'll list you as one of the team on the site. Because if you're backing us at this level, you really are one of the team!